tricare prime and breast pumps

Ladies,Have any of you had luck getting your pump paid for with a prescription from your doc? A lot of civilian insurance companies will pay for them but all the research I've done says tricare won't unless your baby is premie or ill. Anyone have any advice?

Ladies,Have any of you had luck getting your pump paid for with a prescription from your doc? A lot of civilian insurance companies will pay for them but all the research I've done says tricare won't unless your baby is premie or ill. Anyone have any advice?

Buy one out of pocket. This isn't a loose rule that you can "luck" into a doctor agreeing to get it for you. Tricare only covers a pump when there is a medical necessity. Ask your OB if your hospital has a rental program if you're on the fence about purchasing one.

Buy one out of pocket. This isn't a loose rule that you can "luck" into a doctor agreeing to get it for you. Tricare only covers a pump when there is a medical necessity. Ask your OB if your hospital has a rental program if you're on the fence about purchasing one.

My son was a preemie so Tricare would cover it. I got the prescription for it but when it came down to it, you can only get it from a DME. I live in Chicago and you would think it would be easy. WRONG! I could not find anywhere in my area that dealt with breast pumps. Instead of the headache just buy or rent one. I with I had just rented rather than buy one. I spent $250 and was only able to pump for 11 weeks.

My son was a preemie so Tricare would cover it. I got the prescription for it but when it came down to it, you can only get it from a DME. I live in Chicago and you would think it would be easy. WRONG! I could not find anywhere in my area that dealt with breast pumps. Instead of the headache just buy or rent one. I with I had just rented rather than buy one. I spent $250 and was only able to pump for 11 weeks.

@sotygirl Such helpful advice... Why do you even post an answer if you're just going to be rude? Thanks for the insight from everyone else. I just wanted to see if anyone else had any experience with this situation. I'll probably just wait to see how bf goes and purchase one for pumping after Maternity leave.

@sotygirl Such helpful advice... Why do you even post an answer if you're just going to be rude? Thanks for the insight from everyone else. I just wanted to see if anyone else had any experience with this situation. I'll probably just wait to see how bf goes and purchase one for pumping after Maternity leave.

I agree! If you think buying a pump is expensive than maybe you shouldn't be having kids because a pump is a very small cost in the whole realm of things. Plus with tricare your not paying any copays for visits or hospital stays so be thankful that we have such great coverage despite the fact that you don't get a free pump on top of everything else.

I agree! If you think buying a pump is expensive than maybe you shouldn't be having kids because a pump is a very small cost in the whole realm of things. Plus with tricare your not paying any copays for visits or hospital stays so be thankful that we have such great coverage despite the fact that you don't get a free pump on top of everything else.

I am not the first to ask this question and will not be the last...I'm not on here complaining about the cost of anything or whining about not being able to afford the cost of a child. It was a simple inquiry as to whether or not there was information about this. Some of you women are just hateful. This should be a place for encouragement and passing of experiences and information. Not bashing those whom you think are too "poor" to afford a child.

I am not the first to ask this question and will not be the last...I'm not on here complaining about the cost of anything or whining about not being able to afford the cost of a child. It was a simple inquiry as to whether or not there was information about this. Some of you women are just hateful. This should be a place for encouragement and passing of experiences and information. Not bashing those whom you think are too "poor" to afford a child.

I was being a realist. This question is asked at least once a month on this board the answer never changes Tricare doesnt cover it theres no loop around it unless its medically necessary. Kids are expensive and you chose to have one so just like i had to save up for everything my daughter has and go buy it myself that was my advise. Idk why people feel everything should be free just because we chose to be in the military. Newsflash kids are our responsibility not our insurance companies whether we pay premium or not i think that obamacare adding that was completely out of line.

I was being a realist. This question is asked at least once a month on this board the answer never changes Tricare doesnt cover it theres no loop around it unless its medically necessary. Kids are expensive and you chose to have one so just like i had to save up for everything my daughter has and go buy it myself that was my advise. Idk why people feel everything should be free just because we chose to be in the military. Newsflash kids are our responsibility not our insurance companies whether we pay premium or not i think that obamacare adding that was completely out of line.

I heard of this awesome news that tricare paid for the pumps. I was super excited bc money is so short for us bc I haven't been allowed to work for months now.. I called tricare and the guy said they haven't paid for pumps ever or at least in the past several years.. :/ bummer.. Out of pocket it is...

I heard of this awesome news that tricare paid for the pumps. I was super excited bc money is so short for us bc I haven't been allowed to work for months now.. I called tricare and the guy said they haven't paid for pumps ever or at least in the past several years.. :/ bummer.. Out of pocket it is...

And I chose to marry into the military. Chose to support my soldier. God chose to bless us with a child. And we love the idea, but we didn't choose for doc to put me in bedrest making money tight. I do feel that the pumps should be free. It is baby related and a necessity if we want to take the healthiest course of action.

And I chose to marry into the military. Chose to support my soldier. God chose to bless us with a child. And we love the idea, but we didn't choose for doc to put me in bedrest making money tight. I do feel that the pumps should be free. It is baby related and a necessity if we want to take the healthiest course of action.

Well being a ftm due in April, I would have imagined a pump would be a necessity. Thanks for the info. I know there's much more to learn, and plenty I'll have to figure out first hand. So any tips are def appreciated

Well being a ftm due in April, I would have imagined a pump would be a necessity. Thanks for the info. I know there's much more to learn, and plenty I'll have to figure out first hand. So any tips are def appreciated

Dont get me wrong. In the beginning a pump is helpful, especially to help with engorgement, but not always a must have. I'm so glad I didn't spend the money on one before LO was born. When I left the hospital, after delivery, I took a hospital grade pump home with me. I rented it for like $30/30days.. I didn't use it much. And I'm not someone that had breastfeeding come easily, it was a STRUGGLE, but a pump was NOT worth $300 for me. If you are really concerned about having one prior to delivery, I'd suggest a rental for electric (save that cash girl! & don't worry, they give you all brand new/sterile tubing, shields, etc) or maybe just grabbing a $30 manual. I know none of this would be relevant if tricare just paid for one, but they don't so this is the best I've got! Goodluck! :)

Dont get me wrong. In the beginning a pump is helpful, especially to help with engorgement, but not always a must have. I'm so glad I didn't spend the money on one before LO was born. When I left the hospital, after delivery, I took a hospital grade pump home with me. I rented it for like $30/30days.. I didn't use it much. And I'm not someone that had breastfeeding come easily, it was a STRUGGLE, but a pump was NOT worth $300 for me. If you are really concerned about having one prior to delivery, I'd suggest a rental for electric (save that cash girl! & don't worry, they give you all brand new/sterile tubing, shields, etc) or maybe just grabbing a $30 manual. I know none of this would be relevant if tricare just paid for one, but they don't so this is the best I've got! Goodluck! :)

Well put Sotygirl, some people are looking for loopholes or just don't understand that no means no! It drives me crazy that so many are looking for handouts. It's really not that hard to look at the Tricare website or call them. They are there to let you know what you rate and what you don't. Everyone should now by now Tricare will NEVER cover breast pumps for anyone without a medical reason ie premature baby. Breast pumps are not that expensive compared to what you spend a month of formula.

Well put Sotygirl, some people are looking for loopholes or just don't understand that no means no! It drives me crazy that so many are looking for handouts. It's really not that hard to look at the Tricare website or call them. They are there to let you know what you rate and what you don't. Everyone should now by now Tricare will NEVER cover breast pumps for anyone without a medical reason ie premature baby. Breast pumps are not that expensive compared to what you spend a month of formula.

It's pretty big of you to say that EVERYONE should know that breast pumps aren't covered by Tricare. I don't know how long you have been married or whatnot but their are new military spouses every single day and new pregnant women every single day and they do not know all the rules are Tricare and quite honestly Tricare can be confusing. This board is made for people to ask questions and get input. Everyone needs to stop attacking each other. Even if the same question is asked 100 times. Gosh.

It's pretty big of you to say that EVERYONE should know that breast pumps aren't covered by Tricare. I don't know how long you have been married or whatnot but their are new military spouses every single day and new pregnant women every single day and they do not know all the rules are Tricare and quite honestly Tricare can be confusing. This board is made for people to ask questions and get input. Everyone needs to stop attacking each other. Even if the same question is asked 100 times. Gosh.

Research people! We have the Internet for a reason use it! tricare has call enters for that very same reason. I'm active duty and have been for over 13 years so I think I know something about tricare and if I didn't I will not hesitate to call them personally instead of asking a second person!

Research people! We have the Internet for a reason use it! tricare has call enters for that very same reason. I'm active duty and have been for over 13 years so I think I know something about tricare and if I didn't I will not hesitate to call them personally instead of asking a second person!

Bmax, sorry these ladies were such witches to you, I often don't come to this board because of all the hate. Best advice I can give you is ask to see the lactation nurse. They are specialists in helping you with your bf goals and pumping as well. Most hospitals have a Medela starter pack they can fit you for the proper size breast shields and the kit comes with a manual pump. See how breastfeeding goes before you invest in a pump, it is recommended that you wait to start pumping after about 3 weeks. Good luck with your baby :)

Bmax, sorry these ladies were such witches to you, I often don't come to this board because of all the hate. Best advice I can give you is ask to see the lactation nurse. They are specialists in helping you with your bf goals and pumping as well. Most hospitals have a Medela starter pack they can fit you for the proper size breast shields and the kit comes with a manual pump. See how breastfeeding goes before you invest in a pump, it is recommended that you wait to start pumping after about 3 weeks. Good luck with your baby :)

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